Centrifugally operated valve



March 10, 1953 T. R. SMITH 2,630,816

CENTRIFUGALLY OPERATED VALVE Original Filed Oct. 18, 1949 2 SHEETS-$HEET 2 IN VEN TOR.

yap/m5]? 5mm,

Patented Mar. 10, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE C NTM U LL OPER TED AL E Thomas R. Smith, Newton, Iowa, assignor to The Maytag Company, Newton, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware (Cl. 137x56) 3 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to centrifugally operated valve mechanism and more particularly to improved valves for such mechanisms.

Among the objects of the present invention is to provide centrifugally operated valve mechanism of improved construction for use in controlling flow of liquid from a container or receptacle, such as the rotatable tub of a washing machine which is rotated at a relatively high speed for drying clothes or the like, said mechanism being provided for eiiiciently and eiiectively removing heavy particles of dirt and for-- eign matter from said tub.

In Washing machines having rotatable tubs wherein a washing operation and a centrifugal drying operation takes place there are times, when washing some fabrics, that heavy particles of dirt, sand, etc. will settle out of the fabrics being washed. These particles tend to collect in the bottom-of the tub during the washing operation and when the tub is rotated to extract the liquid a portion of the heavy dirt or foreign matter may be forced back into some of the fabrics which, of course, causes the same to be spotted or soiled. Even in installations where a space .or sediment trap is provided for heavy dirt to settle out of contact with the fabrics being washed, the dirt is not always removed therefrom when the tub is rotated and it may accumulate therein until it eventually clogs the sediment trap. This is especially so in installations where the --settling space is not readily accessibleior manual cleaning.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a eentriiugally operated valve for a circumferential discharge passage provided in a rotatable tub of a washing machine, or the like,

' which is in communication with a settling space for heavy particles of dirt provided at the lower portion of the tub whereby said dirt may be removed centrifugally through said passage upon operation of said valve.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a centrifugally operated resilient valve means disposed about a circumferential passage about the periphery of the lower portion of a rotatable tub of a washing machine, or the like, which is in communication with asediment space provided at said lower portion for the accumulation of heavy particles of dirt during a washing operation, said valve means being operable to prevent leakage when the tub is stationary and which is open d by centrifugal force when the tub is rotated at-relatively high speed to permit a direct flushing action of washing liquid through said space to remove the particles of dirt therefrom.

Other objects, features, capabilities, and advantages are comprehended by the invention as V Will later appear and as are inherently possessed thereby.

The present application discloses subject matter common to applicants copending application Serial No. 97,012, filed June 3, 1949, for Gentr-ifugally Operated Valves for Rotatable Receptacles and is a division of a parent ap lication, Serial No. 121,974, filed October 18, 9-4 .19 Centrifugally Operated Valve and Tub Construction for Rotatable Tubs.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a partial vertical sectional view showin a washin machi e w t an improve rotatabl u c n t u tio fo extr tin -1. N from the materials being washed and-having an 'ir pr v d a nula c nir usallv sec et d alv means applied t reto;

Fi u e 12 s a pa tial enlar d ert ca sssticee v ew s owin m re d tail th .csi ci' n of Y the rotatable tub and the .e t iiugally operated valve means therefor; and

Fi ure 3 i a t a ho i nta b ok n cras ,sectional view of the rotatable tub taken in the plan r p e ente by ne f F ure 2' showin h ub t b cons ru ti n a the l e por- .tion thereof and the annular resilient centrifugally operated valve means.

R er n A W me i d ai i the d aw n a ombin d washin and d y n a h e mad in accordance with the present invention is shown as embodyin one te m o a impr ved-mar abl tub cns ct n which re erably .ci-rcider in .ho izpnta cros s tis and i mou t I9 .roiaiiq bpui a v rti al axis- F ihe rataiab t 2 is mo nted .ursi a bass st u ur i whi al amide a smart iq m chan sm all re e ed t .6 .icr .Q sra ins fie veri 1 1v m u ted scil at h e a it e? dis qss cen al y in he tub 2 and a li htin th il in a washns cy e, a will e hereina t r mere fully Id scribed.

h tata l W1 ;2 i pos io ed inspaccd relation to and adjacent the p erpqmqn fof a generally cylindrical stationary tub it, in o der to intercept and deflect downward the liquid discharged from the rotatable tub, the stationary tub Ill has its upper open end tra smissive the top of the rotatable tub 2. in additioi ifthe stationary tub is provided with a statistic 14 having a drain opening 16 and a centrally disposed enlarged opening [3 in a, crowned 1561 t o is t u h w ch ertical e a-fan means extend. The shaft means is in the form of an inner rotatable shaft 22 and an outer rotatable tubular shaft 24, for supporting and rotating the tub 2 and for actuating the agitator 8.

The rotatable tub 2 includes in part an inner tub or perforate basket 26 secured to a generally horizontal support member or base 28 forming part of an outer tub or receptacle 29. The base has a centrally located raised hub portion 30 with a vertically disposed passage therein for journaling an oscillatable shaft 32 which extends through the passage and is sealed against leakage by suitable sealing means 34. The upper portion of the oscillatable shaft 32 may be splined or connected (not shown) to the agitator 8 in any suitable manner while its lower portion is connected to suitable oscillating mechanism, generally indicated at 36, which, in this construction, is carried in a gear housing 38 disposed at the bottom and bolted to the base 28 to increase the mass of the rotatable tub 2.

This oscillating mechanism is preferably directly operated by the inner vertically disposed rotatable shaft 22 which has a driven pulley 40 secured thereto, at its lower end, the same being continuously rotated in one direction by a motor 42, when energized, by means of belt 44. The gear housing 38 is further provided with a downwardly projecting hub 46 concentric with the shaft means and rigidly secured to the upper end of the outer tubular shaft 25 by means of pins 48, while the lower ends of the shaft means 22 and 24 are mounted in a combination radial and thrust bearing 58 adjacent the lowermost portion of the base 4. Leakage between the outer tubular shaft 24 and stationary tub i is prevented where the shaft means traverses the stationary tub at the crowned opening 18, by means of a resilient spring biased seal or boot having upper and lower sealing surfaces adapted to engage the lower portion of the hub 46 and an upstanding portion on the stationary tub about the opening 28, respectively.

The combined radial and thrust bearing 50 provides the sole support for the rotatable tub 2 which is free to tilt thereabout at which time the tub is capable of moving laterally. Accordingly, means are provided to maintain the tub in a substantially vertical position during the washing operation and, although it is not absolutely necessary, it is desirable to have the means act to aid in centering the same when the tub is rotated. In this instance, a plurality of oppositely disposed, preferably four, centering springs 52 disposed at an angle to produce a component of force axially of the shaft means, in addition to the centering action, are connected at one of their ends to the bottom M of the stationary tub l9 and the opposit ends are connected to a damper housing 54 disposed adjacent to and beneath the bottom of the stationary tub. This damper housing is also disposed concentric with and journalled on the outer shaft 24 and moves laterally therewith.

The agitator 8 within the rotatable tub 2 is formed with a center post 56 disposed on the vertical axis of the tub and a flaring base or body portion 58 extending downwardly and outwardly about the hub 30 to underlie th clothes and has one or more blades 60 extending radially upwardly and outwardly from the upper portion of the base adapted to agitate the liquid within the tub upon oscillation of the agitator for effecting the washing operation.

In order to rapidly rotate the tub 2, to centrifugally extract the washing liquid, suitable clutch mechanism 62 carried in the damper housing 5G may be provided for eifecting a driving relation between the inner shaft 22 and the outer shaft 24. Means are provided in the form of a brake mechanism 64 secured in part to the stationary tub I!) and to the outer shaft 24 for holding the tub 2 stationary during the washing operation and for permitting the rotation of the tub during the spinning operation. The operation of both the brake 64 and the clutch B2 is under control of an electrically operated solenoid 66, which when de-energized, applies the brake and renders the clutch inactive and when energized releases the brake and engages the clutch to connect the inner and outer shafts 22 and 24 together to drive the same in unison.

The damper housing 54, which provides a support at least in part for the clutch 62 and brake mechanism 64 and has the centering springs 52 connected thereto, is also provided at its uppermost end with a spherical surface 68 having dampening material H3 attached thereto which is adapted to engage the crowned portion 20 of the stationary tub 60. This damper is provided to reduce the amplitude of lateral movement of the receptacle during the spinning operation.

A clutch, centering means, brake and damper mechanisms suitable for effecting the washing operation is described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 66,230, filed December 20, 1948, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. It is to be understood, however, that said application discloses but one form of such mechanisms suitable for operating a washing machine as herein disclosed and that other suitable types may be utilized.

Referring now more particularly to the details of construction of the rotatable tub construction 2, the outer tub or receptacle 29 includes the generally horizontal base or support member 28 and a generally cylindrical imperforate side or outer wall H whose upper portion or section 12 flares upwardly and outwardly, and terminates in an upper open end having a top edge '13 preferably extending above the normal desired liquid level A and over which liquid is discharged when the tub is rotated. The lower portion or section 14 of the side wall flares downwardly and outwardly and terminates with its lower edge spaced from the base 28 to provide a continuous unrestricted circumferential discharge passage 16 therebetween. Preferably, the base member extends radially outwardly beyond the outermost diameter of the basket 26 to provide a circular or peripheral seat ing surface 78 adjacent the bottom edge '15 of the outwardly flaring portion 14 of the sidewall H. In addition, the base member is provided with a plurality of tapped lugs 88 and is stepped at 82, adjacent the outer periphery of the base 58 of the agitator 8, to provide a cylindrical shoulder or centering means for the inner tub or basket 26 during assembly.

The inner tub or perforate basket 26 is in the form of an open ended cylindrical container having the major portion of its side wall 86 and bottom 88 provided with a plurality of openings 90 for permitting the circulation of washing liquid therethrough during the washing operation and to permit outward movement of the liquid when the tub is rotated. Also, the basket fitting within the receptacle 29 has a diameter smaller than the side wall 1! which defines therebetween an annular liquid conducting passage 9! having a lower portion 92 increasing in cross section toassume ward the base member 28 and an upper portion 93 increasing in cmss section toward the upper discharge edge It.

In order to centrally locate the basket on the base member the inner end 94 of the bottom wall 68, carrying a gasket 95 thereon, is positioned about the shoulder 82. The bottom wall 88 of the basket is spaced from the base member 28 to define a sediment space or zone 98 in direct communication with the annular passage 92 and circumferential discharge passage It by providing a plurality of spaced downwardly projecting bosses Ifill therein, resting on suitable gaskets o spacing devices I532, which are disposed over the tapped lugs 89 in the base member. A plurality of machine screws I04, or other suitable holding means, fitting downwardly through openings in the bosses I88 into the tapped lugs '80 provide adequate means for rigidly securing the two members together in spaced relation and to provide a rigid unitary structure.

While forming no part of the present invention, in this particular construction the upper portion of the basket 26 may be imperforate a d it 'eX- tends upwardly and inwardly and terminates to define an opening I05 whereby th operator may gain access to the interior of the basket. Also, adjacent the upper end of the basket 26 there is mounted a hollow toroidal balancing member or ring [28 preferably containing a mobile material I ID of any suitable type, having a relatively high specific gravity which serves as a balancing means for tending to maintain the rotatable tub in its vertical position when it is rotated at relatively high speeds, above its critical speed, under unbalanced load conditions.

With the lower edge it: of the imperforate outer wall H of the receptacle spaced from the bottom 28 to define the unobstructed circumferential discharge passage 16 means must be provided for holding the same in spaced relation. In this instance, the central portion of the side wall H, adjacent is region of smallest diameter, is provided with a plurality of inwardly projecting depressions or bosses H2 which are adapted to engage the outer periphery of the basket 26, while at the same time leaving a liquid conducting space H3 between the inwardly projecting bosses H2. The side wall II is welded or secured to the basket where the bosses engage the same in any suitable manner to provide a rigid unitary structure which always maintains its lower edge in proper position with respect to the base member 28.

The downwardly diverging annular liquid conducting portion of the space 92 between the outwardly flaring portion '54 of the side wall H of the receptacle and the cylindrical wall 86 of the basket merges with the sediment zone 98 disposed between the bottom wall 88 of the basket and base member 28 whereby liquid may circulate through openings 99 out of contact with the fabrics being washed. Also, it is upon the upper portion of the flat horizontal surface l Id of the base member 23 that the major portion of the heavy particles of dirt and foreign matter collect during the washing operation.

Since the circumferential discharge passage 1.6 is disposed at the bottom of the tub, means .must be provided to seal the same during the washin operation. This is accomplished by providing a centrifugally operated annular resilient sealing element or ring H6 about the outer periphery of the lower portion of the side wall II and the base member 28,. This annular resilient sealing .element comprises a lower enlarged bulbous sealing portion or end 1 I8, generally circular in vertrcal cross-section, with an integral annular web or flange I28 extending upwardly therefrom which in turn is formed integral with an upper enlarged bulbous annular anchoring portion or end I22 generally smaller in vertical cross-section than the sealing end H8. All of these elements have approximately the same inner diameter when the sealing element is assembled in position. It is to be understood, however, that prior to assembly of the sealing element H6, its sealing lip II 8 and anchoring portion I22 may have different diameters for more simplified manufacturing operations and is preferably smaller in diameter than the outer diameter of the receptacle in order to provide the proper amount or degree of stretch for sealing the passage during the washing operation.

In order to secure the sealing element H16 :in position, the lower portion of the side wall :H, at the bottom edge 15 of the receptacle, is bent upwardly and then outwardly and downwardly to provide a C-shaped flange I24 to provide an annular groove, generally circular in vertical cross-section, with its restricted opening I26 facing downwardly in the direction of the base :memher and adjacent to the outer periphery 18 of the same. During assembly the upper anchorin portion I22 of the sealing element is forced through the restricted opening I26 into theannular groove formed by the C-shaped flange I24 and which groove is capable of holding the .same without any additional securing means under all operating conditions. When assembled, the web I20 extends substantially vertically downwardly and since the sealing element I I6 is molded with a smaller diameter than the outer periphery of the receptacle the sealing lip H8 is held against the outer peripheral surface I8 of the base 28 by the natural resiliency of the sealing element.

This sealing element is preferably formed of, for example, rubber or synthetic rubber or the like, and is so dimensioned or proportioned to provide adequate resilient characteristics so that the sealing lip IIB will move outwardly to open the circumferential discharge passage 16 when the tub is rotated above a predetermined speed, as indicated in dot and dash line in Figure ,2, and its modulus of elasticity is such that it automatically reseats itself when the tubs speed decreases at the end of the spinning operation. Also the resilient material is preferably soft enough so that .should a particle of foreign matter be caught between .it and its seat the sealing lip will seal thereabout with no or a minimum of leakage. By anchoring the sealing element to the side Wall .II instead of to the base 28, the liquid discharged is not deflected upward and consequently there is no tendency for heavy particles to accumulate a diacent the anchoring portion to interfere with proper .sealing.

When the tub is stationary during the washing operation the liquid within the basket 26 is agitated rather violently by the agitator 2, and due to this action a portion of the liquid is circulated through the openings 9!) in the basket into the sediment space 98 and the annular space 92 provided between the basket and the receptacle. The water entering the sediment zone 98 carries with it heavy dirt and other foreign particles removed from the soiled fabrics which tends to settle therein because the liquid in this space has a tendency to be relatively quiet. Thus, the foreign particles are restricted or retarded in their flow *back toward the interior of the basket and the major portion of these particles for the most part will remain in the sediment zone.

After the washing operation the tub 2 is rotated to centrifugally extract the liquid therefrom. As the tub is accelerated, centrifugal force causes a portion of the water to move upwardly along the annular space Q2 and be discharged over the top edge 13, and when a predetermined speed is attained, dependent upon the design characteristics, centrifugal force plus the hydrostatic pressure of the water acting on the resilient valve 1 it causes the same to open and in so doing the sealing lip H8 is moved radially outwardly to its open position, as indicated by dot and dash lines in Figure 2. When this valve opening occurs it will be rather rapid and due to the relatively high speed of rotation of the tub the water in the annular space 92 and sediment zone 98 is expelled centrifugally through the circumferential discharge passage '16 beneath the annular resilient sealin ring into the stationary tub iii. Simultaneously with this, a portion of the liquid is rapidly drawn through the openings 99 in the bottom of the basket into the sediment zone 98 which acts to flush or clean the top surface lid of the base member 28. This rapid water action tends to pick up and move the major portion of the foreign particles thereon radially outward and discharges the same through the discharge passage 16 into the stationary tub where they are directed to the drain outlet 45. When the extraction operation is terminated and the speed of rotation of the tub decreases below a given value the natural resiliency in the sealing ring or valve i it causes the same to move inward to its original or closed position to seal the circumferential opening 76 to prevent leakage of water therethrough.

With a construction of this type it can be seen that the sediment zone provided in the bottom of the tub is in effect self-cleaning whenever the tub is rotated. Also, the perforate basket retains the fabrics and the liquid entering the space through the openings in the basket is rapidly discharged without further contact with the fabrics. Still another advantage is that at the end of the washing operation the fabrics are dispersed within the tub and when the tub is accelerated a fairly large percentage of the washing liquid which was adjacent the side Walls is discharged from the tub before the fabrics move outwardly and are retained by the side wall 80 of the basket. In this manner less water is filtered through the fabrics and consequently there is less chance of trapping small particles of foreign suspended matter which is normally carried by the liquid and is too light to be retained by the sediment zone.

The operation of a washing machine as hereinabove described and incorporating a tub and contrifugal valve construction therein made in accordance with the invention is as follows:

The operator places the clothes or fabrics to be washed through the access opening [98 in the basket including with it the proper quantity of detergent, thereupon the operator may select the water temperature desired and adjust other control mechanisms (not shown) to determine the length of the washing cycle and to cause water to be conducted into the rotatable tub through a nozzle I28 disposed at the upper portion thereof.

When the liquid in the tub 2 reaches a predetermined level, control mechanism (not shown) interrupts theflow of water and the drive motor 42 is energized to start the Washing operation by oscillating the agitator 8 through the oscillatin mechanism 36.

During the washing operation heavy particles of foreign matter and heavy dirt are carried by the washing liquid circulating through the openings 9B in the basket into the sediment zone 98 and annular space 92 and whereat a relatively large portion of the heavy particles tend to collect in the sediment zone 98 due to the less violent circulation of water. After a predetermined period of agitation, the solenoid 66 is energized to release the brake 64 holding the rotatable tub 2 stationary to permit rotary movement thereof and at the same time causes the clutch B2 to be engaged to directly connect the continuously rotated drive shaft 22 to the hollow rotatable shaft 24 carrying the tub to rotate the same, at which time no relative movement takes place between the agitator and the tub.

As the tub is accelerated by the drive motor 42 centrifugal force acting on the liquid causes a portion to be discharged over the top edge 13 of the receptacle and upon attaining a given speed it acts on the centrifugally operated valve to move the same to its open position to permit the rapid flow of washing liquid through the circumferential discharge passage 16. In so doing, additional water flows from the interior of the tub through the openings 56) into the sediment zone to create a relatively high velocity therethrough to thereby remove the foreign particles therefrom.

At full speed of rotation the major portion of the liquid is removed from the fabrics and is conducted into the annular space 92 through the openings provided in the side Wall of the basket. During this time a rinse of fresh Water is admitted to the tub through the inlet nozzle 128 to remove a portion of the remaining soapy liquid which is discharged through the circumferential passage to drain. At the end of the spinning operation the solenoid B6 is deenergized and in so doing applies the brake 46 and releases the clutch 62 to stop and hold the tub stationary. Warm water for rinsing is thereupon admitted to the tub through the nozzle and upon attaining the proper level the flow of water is interrupted and the drive motor 42 is energized to initiate the agitate rinse period.

The operation of the washing machine during the rinse period is identical to the operation thereof during the washing period, except it is of shorter duration, after which the tub is again rotated and the water discharged over the top edge i3 and through the circumferential discharge passage 16. At the end of the final spin period, the solenoid is again deenergized to reapply the brake to the receptacle to stop the same. During this washing cycle the fabrics have been washed with detergent, rinsed with clear water, and have had a large portion of the water removed therefrom. The washing operation is now completed, and the operator need only remove the fabrics from the tub.

The details of construction of an entire control assembly suitable for controlling a washing machine of the type herein described, and its operation, is described in the copending application of Thomas R. Smith, Serial No. 189,520, filed October 11, 1950, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

From the foregoing it can be seen that a rotatable tub having a double wall construction has been provided with an annular centrifugally operated resilient valve for sealing a circumferential discharge passage at the lower portion therell 4AM of which permits the flow of liquid therethrough when the tub is rotated and that this construction provides in efiect a self-cleaning sediment zone adjacent it lower portion.

Also, it can be seen that tub constructions are shown which provide for a very rapid discharge of liquid as it is being accelerated and that this rapid discharge has the advantage of removing a large portion of the liquid before the fabrics move radially outwardly to engage the side wall of the basket at which time a portion of the remaining liquid must flow through the fabrics in order to enter the annular spaces.

While I have herein described and upon the drawing shown an illustrative embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may comprehend other constructions, arrangements of parts, details and features without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It is claimed:

1. A centrifugally operated valve construction for a rotatable receptacle having a wall with an upper and a lower portion and a circumferential discharge area therebetween for discharge of fluid, comprising a centrifugally operated sealing element including a radially movable annular sealing lip having an integral annular imperferate flange of smaller cross section than said sealing lip and an annular resilient anchoring portion formed integral with the opposite end of said flange whereby said sealing lip may move with respect to said anchoring portion, and means for securing said anchoring portion in fluid tight relation to one of said wall portions, said sealing element engaging the other of said wall portion for sealing said circumferential discharge area when said receptacle is rotated below a predetermined speed.

2. A centrifugally operated valve construction for a rotatable receptacle having an upper wall and a lower wall with a circumferential discharge space therebetween, comprising a centrifugally operated sealing element including an annular enlarged resilient sealing lip having a substantially circular transverse cross-sectional configuration, an annular resilient flange having one end thereof formed integral with said sealing lip and an annular enlarged anchoring portion formed integral with the other end of said flange for holding said sealing lip in position, and means for securing said anchoring portion to said upper wall in a fluid tight manner so that said sealing lip engages a portion of said lower Wall to seal the space when said receptacle is rotated below a predetermined speed.

3. A centrifugally operated valve construction for a rotatable receptacle having an upper wall and a lower wall with a circumferential discharge space therebetween, comprising a centrifugally operated resilient valve element including a pair of spaced annular resilient members each of which ha a substantially circular transverse cross-sectional configuration with an integral web therebetween, one of said members defining an anchoring portion and the other of said members defining a sealing portion, said sealing portion being radially movable with respect to said anchoring portion, and a flange forming an annular groove adjacent the lower outer portion of said upper wall for securing said anchoring portion to form a fluid tight connection and to position said resilient valve element whereby aid sealing portion engages a portion of said lower Wall to seal the circumferential discharge space when said receptacle is rotated below a predetermined speed.

THOMAS R. SMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,751,982 Dunham Mar. 25, 1930 2,275,937 Baker Mar. 10, 1942 2,473,967 Orelind June 21, 1949 

